55. Beta Thalassemia

Question 1

What is Beta Thalassemia

Answer 1

• Inherited disorder characterized by reduced or absent amounts of hemoglobin.
• Most common within Mediterranean ancestry

Question 2

s/s Beta Thalassemia

Answer 2

• Yellowing eyes
• Fatigue, dizziness, fainting
• Low blood pressure, palpitations, rapid HR
• Chest pain, angina
• Paleness, coldness, and yellowing of skin
• Shortness of breath, muscular weakness
• Changes in stool color, splenic enlargement
• Delays in growth and development
• Bone marrow expansion

Question 3

Treatments of Beta Thalassmeia

Answer 3

• regular blood transfusions to help prevent severe anemia and allows for more normal growth and develoment
• meds: epoetin alfa (epogen): erythropoietin to increase productions of RBCs